South African police have denied arming community patrollers to help contain anti-government protests that have already started in some cities.
The radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, on Sunday claimed that patrollers in Honeydew, a suburb in Gauteng province, were given police uniform and probably guns ahead of Monday's protests.
But in a statement, South African Police Service (SAPS) described the EFF's claims as fake.
"The SAPS refutes this and ensures that our members remain committed to ensuring safety and security for everyone in South Africa," a police statement stated.
Patrollers are community volunteers who support police in crime prevention but are not trained security officers.
EFF is calling for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and an end to the energy crisis in the country.
More than 50 people have already been arrested in sporadic protests early on Monday.
